Children's secretary sees Norfolk at its very best

Ed Balls listens to Janaya Toye, 7, playing the violin during the In Harmony children's ensemble practice at Catton Grove Primary School.

Children's secretary Ed Balls saw Norfolk at its best yesterday as he visited two projects that are blazing a national trail.

First he took up his tambourine to accompany children in a choir at the In Harmony project at Catton Grove Primary in Norwich.

Then he headed to the Open youth venue, where his “jaw dropped” when he saw the cutting-edge facilities laid on for the young people of Norwich and Norfolk.

The visits were cunningly timed for a Tuesday afternoon and early evening, enabling the avid Norwich City fan to escape London and head to Carrow Road last night to watch the Canaries play Brighton.

At his first port of call, Catton Grove Primary, the man who calls the tune over the education of millions of children and young people was merely a part of the choir as he took up a tambourine to accompany 12 Norfolk children.

Mr Balls, who grew up in Bawburgh, near Norwich, kept time as the youngsters from four upwards sang a medley of Jingle Bells and I Saw Three Ships.

The government-funded In Harmony project, which is being piloted for two years at schools in the NR5 area of Norwich and in Liverpool and Lambeth, takes children as young as four from deprived areas and gives them free instruments and lessons by experts. Parents are also encouraged to get involved.

Mr Balls said: “I thought the children were lovely. The school said they had more parents wanting to do it than they could cater for. This project shows that if you give children a chance they grab it with both hands.”

In Harmony is being run in Norfolk by Norwich and Norfolk Community Arts (Norca). Alex Hunter from Norca said all the children involved would be taking part in a concert at the Open youth venue on December 3.

He said: “It's a fun way for children to engage in music. They are learning really quickly and their parents are saying how excited they are.”

After the visit, Mr Balls headed to the £12m Open youth venue at the former Barclays Bank in Bank Plain, Norwich.

He spoke to volunteers and young people about the facility, which is arguably the best youth venue in England and includes a dance studio, under-18s nightclub, climbing wall, media centre, reading room, games area, recording studio and café.

He said: “My jaw dropped when I came in. There are lots of great youth centres doing excellent work, but they are not normally in the centre of the city.

“We drew up outside here and suddenly were in this massive, first-rate, top-class venue for young people only. It is alcohol and drug free so the parents like it, but it's also quite cool and young people love it.”

Don't miss tomorrow's EDP to read a full interview with Mr Balls, including his views on Charles Clarke's criticism of the government, Ian Gibson's demise as Norwich North MP and the future for Norwich City FC.